Books by Phillys Curott

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 19 Jun 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

catlin	19 Jun 2002
Yesterday I flipped through the autobiography of P. Curott. Has anyone already read something by her (Maan, I know you did)?

Pollux	19 Jun 2002
I have read what in English should be "A Witch in New York" or something like that... The Italian title was more evocative: "The Path of/to the Goddess". This was my FIRST EVER Pagan-like reading. So I know my enthusiasm - as usual - was exagerated. But I really enjoyed the book, I got through it in 24 hours, including sleep. :P What I found a bit bothersome was the absence of the masculine part. It's all focused around the GODDESS, the Circle and the ladies. Not a man inside there. But I think it is a good reading after all. My mother read it before I did - she's the most impressive bookworm I've met so far - and she liked it. I think it is the way Paganism and Wicca are put. The Perspective is clear, simple, and easy. Natural.

Maan	19 Jun 2002
I have read both here books!! The first one;The book of shadows ( and not the a witch in new york altough i like the titel :) ) is a personal story and it reads really nice! And yes Pollux it lakes male's but here second book doesn't! The second book is my all time favourite! :) I just got it last week but it is soooo good. I read many wicca books and most have nothing new to offer. This one is a do it yourself book with vision!!! I really recommand it!!!!!!!!!! She discusses the law of three in a new way.....to get you curious ;) And an other plus for us tarotholic's she has a great chapter about divination in wich she tells us that the Robin Wood is here deck of choice :)

catlin	20 Jun 2002
Hm, I was toying around with getting this autobiographical as the other one is only available in hardback (I don't buy hardbacks anymore, too expensive for a book/tarot addict like me). I was especially interested in the Oya ritual she discribed in the book.

Pollux	20 Jun 2002
If you want to I can translate the ritual back (my book is hardcover, and in Italian ;P) in english and send it to you... Even though I don't think it was put there as a ritual, but more for a narrative reason... You see, in the end of the book she's collected all the "recipes", spells and things mentioned in the story, but the part of the Ritual to Oya is not reported. Get the book. It is a good reading! :)

catlin	20 Jun 2002
Hi Pollux, The Oya ritual is in the paperback autobiographical book. What rituals are listed in the other one? I am especailly looking for protection rituals.

Pollux	20 Jun 2002
I know it is there, I was only telling you that if you want I can translate it and send it to you. AND, that simply I don't think it is a "ritual" cos it is not very detailed, it is very narrative instead, dealing with their feelings and thoughts and sensations... In brief, the ritual is not described, at all! It is just narrated... No specific things about it. No chants, no indications for incenses and candles, the ceremony, the outline... nothing of this sort. What is more, it is not included in the end of the book, where she's collected ALL the spells she tells about during the story - like the bath of love or the candle of wealth. Lastly, I don't think of it as a PROTECTIVE ritual... They were JUST trying to dismiss a person! A Human Being! form their lives! *lol* I see it quite... "active" as a spell, I wouldn't call it protective... :) I have not read the second book. I'd love it if Maan sent it to me... ;) Maan, what if I PM you my address??? *WEASELING*

Maan	20 Jun 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Pollux I have not read the second book. I'd love it if Maan sent it to me... ;) Maan, what if I PM you my address??? *WEASELING* Oke Pollux do you read DUTCH ?

Sorceress_Jade	21 Jun 2002
I read her book of shadows book, i believe, the story of how she came to be a witch and how she dealt with how the world treated her for it. She described her feelings and the evolution her thoughts and actions took. How she started eating lunch outdoors, took advice and spells from her elders. It described how she dealt with it at work and with her friends. How she felt when performing rituals, going into the first one and how each one was as powerul as the one before. This was my first pagan book to read. I remember stumbling accross it in the public library and bringing it hom with glee, having to keep it out of sight from my family and wondering how many women had gone through something like she did. My own path has been emmensly different but her story was heartening and well told.

HudsonGray	30 Jun 2002
They had her WitchCrafting book at the library (pretty daring considering how conservative an area the library is in). I loved it, the exercises they have you do can really be eye openers. I got hung up on the 3rd exercise, had to really focus & look with open eyes at what was coming up for me, and the 'revelation' was so personal it had me crying. Be prepared for barriers to be broken with it. She had a lot of good things to say & a lot that made a lot of sense. Yes, there was very little of the God or masculine side in it, her groups focused on the Goddess mostly. But she seems to really have her head solidly on her shoulders, and has thought through much of what she's discussing in the book. I enjoyed it a lot & read it cover to cover, even the listings in the end & the biography.

Maan	01 Jul 2002
Hi HudsonGray Did you find the part about divination very enlighting? It made me see some things totally different!

Pollux	01 Jul 2002
Quote: Originally posted by Maan Did you find the part about divination very enlighting? May ask which part? I don't remember such a section in the book... Maybe the card reading she got in the Shop? Or the meditation on the Rune?

Maan	01 Jul 2002
I ment in the other book from here Pollux, you should get taht one too its really great:)

Pollux	01 Jul 2002
:( It does not exist in Italian. Not Yet. :( Maybe I'll have to add it to my Summer-Book-Wish-List that Kiama will try to make come true. But since our goal is to *save* - Kiama's going to buy me used books, so she canbuy tons! :D - I don't think this one could be found easily. UFF!!! :(

HudsonGray	01 Jul 2002
I use tarot, but did read through her divination section. I just can't get into pendulums. The scrying was something I thought I'd maybe try in the future, but she couldn't give a lot of info there--in fact it's hard to get much info online on scrying at all, since its so subjective. I do know people who fire scry (with bonfires, not candles). I figure it's a form of meditative journeying with your eyes open, and since I'm familiar with that I'll probably stick with it--the off center staring can be hard on the eyes! Seems to be a matter of getting yourself to a different mind level & letting go--whether this connects directly to your subconscious & instinct level, or it does connect to the goddess, the results are the same, you GET a connection. A different one than the conscious mind using tarot or oracle cards. Maybe the connection comes from the same source, but the level is different & the end result is colored by it. Not an easy thing to teach in a book, by any means!

Momof6	10 Jul 2002
I have read the following: *Witchcrafting* and *Book of Shadows* Both were excellent IMHO. I could not put them down. I also recommend them to those who come to me looking for suggestions. Bright Blessings, Momof6

catlin	18 Jul 2002
Ok, I gave in and got "Book of Shadows" yesterday evening (I was in the right mood for a spending an evening with a good book and a nice cup of tea). Hey, imagine it took me a full month to decide on getting a new book!

Bella	18 Jul 2002
After reading this thread I bought her "Book of Shadows" this week as well, and I am about halfway through it already. I can't put it down, even at work (where I keep sneaking to read it). It's given me a positive feeling about further exploration down this path, and it may just be one of those rare books that has a real impact on changing my life for the better (the last one of those was the Dalai Lama's Ethics...). thanks to Catlin for starting this thread and all the positive responses.

catlin	22 Jul 2002
Ok, folks, I read the Curott "Book of Shadows" in a whole afternoon! It was a pagegripper! I do not regret the 9 € I spent on it. I already count it among the book recommendations for ppl interested in Wicca.

Maan	22 Jul 2002
I'm glad you liked it Catlin! Now go get here other book "Witchcrafting" ;) That's even better IMO Love and light Maan

catlin	23 Jul 2002
Thanks, Maan, for the recommendation but I think I'll wait a bit as the other book is only available as hardcover and an avid reader like me is better served with paperbacks.

The Books by Phillys Curott thread was originally posted on 19 Jun 2002 in the Spirituality board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Spirituality, or read more archived threads.